STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S INITIATIVE

ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 10, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today on President Obama’s “Win the Future through the Wireless Innovation and Infrastructure” initiative, which specifically supports building the National Public Safety Broadband Network and re-allocating the D Block of spectrum for use by America’s first responders:

“Today, President Obama publicly expressed his Administration’s strong support for building the National Public Safety Broadband Network and re-allocating the D Block of spectrum for use by our first responders. As our nation approaches the 10-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the President today recognized the need to fulfill a 10-year-old promise to our first responders and to the American people.  The personnel who defend our homeland deserve the technology they need to do their jobs in the safest and most effective way possible.

“I’m proud to have led the effort with my fellow Governors in the National Governor’s Association in seeking reallocation of the D Block for our first responders.  The NGA has supported this move in a bi-partisan fashion and I hope that Congress continues in this spirit to accomplish this critical goal for the interoperability of our public safety agencies and for the security of our citizens.”